It's that time again. A beautiful but deadly invasive is back, one of the worst, purple loosestrife. The tall red spikes of one plant, often in ditches along roadsides, on river or stream banks, wherever there's water, can produce up to or more than a million seeds.

Originally from Europe and sold here as a decorative garden plant, it crowds out our native species so critical to wildlife, especially cattails.

Together, we can make a difference. When I see them along the road, or wherever, I'll either pull them up (the best) or cut them down before they soon go to seed. With so many other invasives flourishing, even one helps. Maybe 5 or 10?